The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-11-25
CITY COUNCIL.

UlT1 UUuhUlL.
Various Matters Receive. Attention The
Proposition Of the Fair Associa-
ton Defeated.
More Hose and New Pump-oussr
State of Things on the Sewer.
The regular meeting Of the council was
held Monday night and all the aldermen
answered to their names-a remarkable
thing. The minutes of the preceding
meeting were read and approved.
PETITIONS AND APPLICATIONS.
A petition was received from the
Knights Of Labor asking the appoint
ment of a wood inspector. The mayor
stated that prior to this he had received
similar request from the Board Of
Trade. He reminded the council that
it was its duty TO appoint an inspector
and that as there were two wood yards
it would probably be necessary TO APP
point two inspectors. Laid over until
the next meeting.
A petition was received from Godfried
and Henry Kruse asking permission TO
change their saloon license from lot 8,
block 80, TO lot z, block 2, the latter
being the Nicollet House. Granted.
A numerously signed petition was re-
ceiyed asking that the action of the
council at the last meeting granting VIM.
Whittrock permission to move his build
ing to the rear of lot 2. block 20, North
Front street, be rescinded, as the build
ing in its new location would endanger
adjoining property, the intention being
to use it for cooper shop. Several
persons appeared before the council in
support of the petition. As the build
ing had been already removed and tho
land it formerly occupied sold and as it
could not be brick veneered on account
of its already occupying the entire
ground the matter was dropped. The
fire warden had notified the owner not
to have fire in the building.
A petition was received asking for
electric lights on the corner of Fulton
and Record, Fulton and Marshall, and
Marshall and Lewis streets. Referred
to the gas committee.
An application was received from
Devereaux & Tate asking for a license for
year to run a shooting gallery.
Granted.
On motion, 1.-the city engineer, street
committee and mayor were instructed
to correspond with the Omaha railroad
authorities with the object of obtaining
the use of certain land near the track
between Elm and Rock streets for street
purposes.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.
The committee on fire department
presented a number of samples of cotton
hose and WAS instructed to select and
purchase 500 feet of hose as it thought
best.
The matter of purchasing chemical
engine was brought up and referred to
the committee on fire department with
power to act. The engine can be pur-
chased at once and paid for next July.
The committee ON parks reported
that very little reduction on the claims
against the Fair Association could be OBJ
tanned, but made no recommendation.
Mr.. Pitcher stated that had it been
able to have had the amount of the
claims reduced to $500 the committee
would have reported in favor OF the pur-
chase of the property but the claims
: amounted to about 500.
motion authorizing the committee
on city property to purchase the prop
erty at price not exceeding the amount
of the three chattel mortgages held
, against it was lost, to 3.
The city recorder was authorized to
advertise Tor bids for 80 or 40 cords of
hard, seasoned wood, bids to be opened
at the next meeting.
The committee on water-works was
authorized to have the reservoir cover
ed lift saw fit. The adoption of this
motion was preceded by long discus
r sion. The covering is estimated by the
city engineer to cost about $500. A long
discussion ensued over the question of
E buying a pump. The city engineer
stated that the city well was about filed
with sand and would have to be cleaned
out before water could be pumped from
it TO the reservoir. 1t was plainly shown
that the fire protection of the city is in
desperately poor condition.
The committee on water-Works was
authorized to purchase sand pump and
clean out the well. if it deems necessary.
THE SEWER.
The city engineer stated that the con-
tractors were making very slow prog
ress on the sewer and that it would take
month yet to finish it as there were
three and a half blocks unfinished. He
thought that the contractors did not
work their men to good advantage and
that they did not have windlasses
enough; that half as many men, worked
in the right way, could have accomplish
ed more. The contractors seemed to
have lost interest in their work and it
was not improbable that they would give
it up soon. In that case he urged that
the city complete the work this winter
as it would cost three tunes as much to
do it next spring. He thought that
things looked in rather bad condition
and the men had not been paid, although
Mr.. Williams had made affidavit that he.
had paid them. 1t leaked out that 9TH
er bills were unpaid. The contract calls
for the completion of the sewer by Dec.
18th and for each day thereafter $25 will
be forfeited until it is done. Fifteen
per cent. of the estimates have been
kept back and as the bondsmen are
good the city is secure. This revelation
of the state of things was surprise all
around and led to considerable discus
sion, though no action was taken.
A number of bills were allowed.
The mayor announced the appoint
nent of Aid. Lamm upon the following
committees, to take the place of Aid.
Wagon: waterworks, sewerage, taxes,
fire department and markets.
Adjourned.
Quite large audience was present
and listened to the proceedings with in
terest.
Alderman Lamm occupied his seat
for the first time under his present
/ r r.